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lines and only the women could pass on the Elder power. Female Elders were revered. They were the ones who foresaw the future and ruled our people. The male Elders had power, but nothing like the women. It’s like you and me. I have some extra power, but what you have is far beyond normal. You have the trademark purple Elder magic. I just have Mage green. Anyway, the oldest female in each family served on the High Council and their wishes were carried out by the queen. She got jealous. She couldn’t take being ordered to carry out the whims of women she felt superior to; orders she disagreed with at every turn. She started plotting out ways to overthrow the Elders and take control. But, she needed help.
    “Julia was smart. She knew the Hunters were more powerful than even she was. They can track the other races, have extremely powerful attacks, and seem to have very little emotion, so doing Julia’s evil bidding never seemed to bother the Hunters she initially recruited. Realizing what a partnership with the Hunters could do for her coup to take over the realm, Julia began polluting their minds with stories of blood line pollution, weakening races, and the inevitable death of their clans if they didn’t act. She was smart enough to allow her recruits to spread her stories to their clan leaders and it didn’t take long for them to call a meeting. Not everyone bought her story but Julia continued to make her case, charming the leaders in whatever way she needed to. Finally, the clan leaders voted and though it wasn’t unanimous, it was decided that the Hunters would align with the queen. Problem was, Julia had found a way to trick them into making an oath of servitude. In one fell swoop, the Hunters became her Royal Guard and captives to the crown.
    “The Hunters brought in anyone who could give Julia information on the Elders’ weaknesses — whether the captives wanted to contribute to her plan or not. That was a lot of what people talked about — the kidnappings and interrogations. Eventually, the queen figured out that if the Elder families were separated, especially when the female Elders were separated from their mates, their power dwindled. As their power lessened, she was eventually able to kill them. No one is entirely sure how she did it or, more likely, how her Hunters did it, but Elders who were caught were never seen again.”

Chapter 4
    “So, how do mom and dad factor into this then, Cole?” I finally asked. “Mom was an Elder. They got away. How did they manage to survive?”
    Cole kept his gaze fixed on the water. “I don’t know, Ame. But, I heard stories; stories of an Elder who got away. Of one who could see the future and had the power to make a difference. Any time I asked if people knew of Elders still out there, she was who they talked about. I think it was Mom. And, if what they tell me is right, she was it. She was the last Elder left alive.”
    “Until me.” It wasn’t a question.
    “Until you,” he responded quietly.
    “That means there isn’t a group of Elders for me to find. No one who understands. You and I are it. Dad isn’t an Elder, it’s just us.” I dropped back into the sand as the thoughts kept coming. “There aren’t any more answers… I’ll never know what this power is, what it can do, what it shouldn’t do. The queen will come for me. I’m bound, Cole. I’m bound to this betrothal, for better or for worse.” My breathing was labored as I recovered from the hurried rush of words that had tumbled from my mouth. Questions rose in my mind, popping like bubbles only to give way to more.
    What does Julia want with me?
    What can she do with me?
    What can I do to stop her?
    I am the only one.
    From what Cole had said tonight, the entire Immortal community was terrified of Julia and her Hunters. How was I going to be any kind of match for her? I didn’t even know what I could do, let alone what she could make me do. The fear overtook me so quickly it was like a